Mattress testing apparatus



Allg 8, 1967 H. C. JANAPOL MATTRESS TESTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 23, 1964 FIG. 3

A @auf United States Patent 3,334,517 MATTRESS TESTING APPARATUS Howard C. .lanapol, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Wortso Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Dec. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 420,648 Claims. (Cl. 73--94) This invention relates to an apparatus for testing mattresses and the like in order to determine the uniformity of firmness thereof, it being a general object of this invention to provide a means of detecting adapted to produce a positive signal when a mattress is uniform within certain predetermined limits. i

The art of bedding recognizes that mattresses, for example, are required to be of greater or lesser firmness and are required to be of good and/ or uniform support capability. That is, in addition to firmness it is necessary to produce a mattress without defects and a mattress that will properly support the human -body form. In the latter regard it is known and requirements are determinable that certain limits of depression are acceptable and beyond which a mattress is considered to be lower in grade. For instance, hospital beds are made according to strict standards and wherein the head and thoractic supporting regions of the mattress and the leg supporting region of the mattress cannot depress more than a prescribed amount above or below the depression of the abdominal `and buttock supporting regi-ons of the mattress. In this respect, it is to be understood that all regions mentioned are depressed different amounts for any given person lying upon the mattress, depending upon the Weight of that person. Therefore, a normal person is considered and the normal weights of the above mentioned body parts are applied to the above mentioned respective regions of the mattress, whereby the apparatus hereinafter described generates a positive signal to indicate the capability of the mattress being tested, to carry the corresponding weights of a normal person.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to test mattresses according to the capability of said mattress in supporting the human body form per prescribed requirements.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to test mattresses of varied firmness and according to the capability of said mattress in supporting the human body form per prescribed requirements.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus adapted to test mattresses having areas with varied supporting capabilities, with overall varied firmness, and according to the capability of said mattress in supporting the human body form per prescribed requirements.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the character thus far referred to and which generates at least one signal, visual or otherwise, to establish the supporting capability of any portion or area of a mattress as it is related above or below a predetermined permissible variant relative to any other portion or area thereof.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevation of the apparatus of the present invention and by which the method is carried out.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged sectional views taken as indicated, substantially, by lines 2-2 and 3-3 on FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing in particular the position detecting elements which characterize the invention.

The apparatus as described herein :is best suited for testing mattresses M and involves, generally, a platform A for support of a mattress M in testing position, a frame B for carrying the testing elements in relation to the mattress M so as to be engageable therewith, a plurality of simulated human body parts including a head and thoractie part H, a leg part L, and an intermediate abdominal and buttock part C. In kaddition to the outwardly visible parts above set forth the apparatus'involves carriages h, l and c for restricting the parts H, L and C to vertical movements independent of each other, elevating means E and position detecting means D vfor sensing differential in vertical movement between parts H and C and between parts L and C, whereas a signal means S is operated for expressing the results of the test.

The mattresses M to be tested can vary widely in shape and detail of construction, and this is also true of similar box spring units (not shown). Generally, the mattress M is a rectangular pad-shaped element composed of flat top and bottom sides comprised of padding covered with ticking and with coil springs therebetween. The springs and padding vary widely, and generally speaking it is the combined function of said springs and padding that is to be tested. The overall firmness of the mattress M can vary, the overall thickness of said mattress M can also vary, and it is the height relation between the parts H and C and between parts L and C with which the present apparatus is primarily concerned.

The platform A can vary as circumstances require, it being generally accepted to support the mattress M horizontally. Therefore, platform A is a flat horizontal stage 10 upon which a mattress M can slide into a fixed `testing position, and from which the tested mattress can be slid out of the apparatus. The stage 10 is a rigid board or panel with strength to be unbendable under operating conditions. v

The frame B carries the test elements hereinafter described and is a superstructure that extends above and overlies the platform A. As shown, there are upright columns 11 that project from the corners of the platform A to support a horizontally disposed header 12 spaced from and parallel to the platform. Again, the header 12 is a rigid beam or equivalent structure with strength to be unbendable under operating conditions.

The plurality of simulated human body parts H, L and C are formed to represent the shapes and weights 4of a normal person expected to use the Vmattress to be tested, for instance, a normal person of 157 lbs. and witha stature of 5 feet l0 inches. Since a normal reclined posture is to lie down on ones back, it is the posterior of the human form which is to be considered and to this end `the parts H, L and C are shaped to represent the posterior lshapes of the head and thoractic regions, the leg region and the abdominal and buttock regions.

ln accordance with the invention it is significant that the regional divisions represented by the parts H, L and' C are employed, since the greatest amount of mattressl depression is experienced beneath part C representing the abdominal and buttock regions, while a lesser amount of mattress depression is experienced beneath parts H and L. Furthermore, it is the back regions of the human body which are of prime concern, especially at or near thev junction of the regions represented by parts H and C. Therefore, since the junction of the head and thoractic regions are not of prime concern, ordinarily, these two body regions are advantageously combined as one in the part H and weighted to correspond to the combined weights of those regions in a normal person. Accordingly, the abdominal and buttock part C is also combined and weighted to correspond with the weights of those regions in a normal person. In practice, the parts H and C are separated by a minimum but adequate gap so as not to touch or interfere one with the other. Further, the leg region represented by part L is sectional and divided into articulated thigh and calf sections and 16 and each of which is weighted to correspond to the weights olf those regions in a normal person. The thigh section 15 1s articulated to pivot relative to the part C and to the section 16, and the calf section 16 is movable vertically. As illustrated, the thigh section 15 is pivoted on a horizontal transverse axis at 17 and has a projecting lever 18 to engage the top of the adjacent end of part C, and has a projecting lever 19 to engage the t-op of the calf section 16. In the case of each lever 18 and 19, there is an adjustment'screw to engage the adjacent part and section. All of said parts and sections are spaced with a minimum gap therebetween, the same as parts H and C.

The carriages h, l and c can vary widely and are provided to movably guide the parts H, L and C for substantially free vertical movement. That is, the parts H, L and C are substantially free to fall and rest by virtue of their respective weights with supporting engagement upon the mattress M, and they are equally free to be lifted. As shown, the carriages h, l and c are alike and each involves a rack 20 disposed vertically on an axis substantially aligned with the center of gravity of the parts guided thereby, and guide means 21 rotationally restricting the racks and limiting the racks to said vertical movement. The racks 20 are rigidly coupled to parts H and C, and while the one rack 20 is pivotally coupled at 17 to the thigh section 15 of sectional part L.

The` elevating means E can be applied independently to the various parts H, L and C, however a single means E is preferably cooperatively combined with all of said means to lift them simultaneously but which permits said parts to fall by gravity independently. Further, as in the case illustrated where the parts L are sectional, the two sectional parts 15 and 16 are also independently and simultaneously lifted and also permitted to fall. The means E, as shown, involves a revoluble shaft 22 rotatable in the frame A on bearings 23, drive gears 24 free to rotate on the shaft 22 and one engaged with each rack 20, a motor 25 to reversibly turn the shaft 22, and a lost motion linkage 26 at each gear 24 to drive from the shaft in one direction only.

. The shaft 22 is disposed horizontally alongside the racks 20, with the gears 24 meshed with the racks respectively. The motor 25 is shown as an air operated cylinder and piston unit operable by opening of a solenoid valve 27 to pull upon a chain drive 28 which turns the shaft 22. A weight 29- at the remote end of the drive chain returns the unit when the valve 27 is de-activated. The lost motion linkages 26 can be any suitable overriding mechanisms,'but each is preferably a positive stop mechanism adapted to revolve the driven part to a predetermined rotative position (less than a complete revolution). Thus, each lost motion linkage 26 engages its gear 24 to revolve it in a lifting direction and to a predetermined rotative position, thereby moving the rack 20 upwardly to a corresponding predetermined position. A simple electrical circuit is employed to activate and hold the solenoid valve 27, including a push-button switch to activate the same.

In accordance 'with the invention the position detecting means D is provided and it involves a beam 30 rigidly carried by the carriage c associated with the part C, and a means 31 on the beam 30 sensing the relative position of either or both other parts H and L. In the preferred form the means 31 involves a cam 35 fastened to the beam 30 to be movable therewith and having a vertically disposed land 36 of predetermined extent. A switch 37 is fastened rigidly upon the associated or related carriage (part H and/or L) and positioned to engage at a preselected point on the land 36 when the parts C and H and/ or L`are in optimum normal positions. In the event that part C is too high or too low relative to parts H and/or L, then the switch 37 is released. In practice, a dual double throw switch 37 is employed, whereby an optimum signal is transmitted through one switch contact when the switch is operated as above described, and a reject signal is transmitted through the other switch contact when the switch is released as above described. In practice, one switch 37 is associated with the carriage of part H while the other is associated with the carriage of sectional calf part 16. It will be seen that the thigh part 15 rests upon the two parts H and 16.

In accordance with the method, which can conceivably be carried out by means other than the particular apparatus herein disclosed, a mattress is assuredly tested for its capability of supporting regions of a human body form within related predetermined high and low limits. That is, a mattress is tested for its support of the different regions of the human body form within related height limits. Therefore, this method involves dividing a simulated human body form into independent simulated body parts and then causing said simulated body parts to seat as free as practically possible upon corresponding regions of the mattress for support thereby, followed by detection of the relative vertical displacement between said adjacent simulated body parts. Because the center region of the human body form presents the largest concentration of body weight it is the combined abdominal and buttock region C which is the heaviest and which depresses a maximum into the mattress. Therefore, the lateral and or other extending regions of thebody including the head and thoractic region H in one direction and the leg region L in the other direction are each and/or both related as to height to the first mentioned abdomen and buttock region C. Thus, the detection of the vertical displacement between the center-most and heavy region and one or both extended and lighter regions is the significant nal step of the method which determines the capability of the mattress to support a human body form at a uniform height within whatever limits circumstances may require. This method is operable regardless of the overall mattress firmness, it being the relative height of body regions which is the factor to be determined.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the apparatus assuredly transmits either an optimum signal or a reject signal. In cases where the mattress M is uniform and capable of supporting the parts H, L and C in normal optimum positions, within the predetermined limits afforded by the height of the lands 36, then the plurality of switches 37 is operated to activate a circuit which includes means to transmit an optimum signal. In cases where the mattress M is not capable of supporting the plurality of parts H, L and/or C at said optimum positions, then one or more of the switches 37 may not be operated, in which case a reject signal is transmitted. In carrying out the invention a plurality of switches 37 is in series circuits to an optimum light 40 and in parallel circuits to a reject light 41. Each of the lights 40 and 41 is discernible for immediate reading, at the exterior of the frame A. Thus, upon entry of a mattress M into testing position it is a simple matter to -de-activate the solenoid valve 27, whereupon the parts H, L and C descend into supporting engagement with the mattress M, at which position the switches 37 are effective to detect predetermined permissible limits to which the mattress regions can be depressed, all as circumstances require'.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for testing mattresses and the like in order to determine the capability to support the human body form Within selectively predetermined limits, and including:

(a) a platform for support of the mattress and with a header spaced above the platform;

(b) a plurality of simulated human body parts supported by and guided by the header in normal positions relative to each other, to move vertically between the platform 'and header and free to fall into rest upon a mattress placed upon the platform;

(c) means comprising an element carried by one of said body parts and an element carried by at least one of said other body parts, one of said elements being a cam and the other a switch to be actuated by the cam, and said elements being engageable to detect the relative depression of said body parts within said predetermined limits;

(d) and means lifting the plurality of body parts toward the header to withdraw the same from the mattress so tested.

2. Apparatus for testing mattresses and the like in order to determine the capability to support the human body form within selectively predetermined limits, and including:

(a) a platform for support of the mattress, and with a header spaced above the platform;

(b) a plurality of simulated human body parts supported by and `guided by the header in normal positions relative to each other, to move vertically between the platform and header and free to fall into rest upon a mattress placed upon the platform;

(c) means comprising elements carried by said body parts, one of said elements being carried by one of the body parts and each of said other elements being carried by the other of said plurality of body parts respectively, the rst mentioned element being a cam element and the latter mentioned element being a switch to be actuated by the cam element and series connected to detect the displacement of any one of the plurality of other body parts from the said predetermined limits relative to the depression of the rst mentioned one body part;

(d) and means lifting the plurality of body parts toward the header to withdraw the same from the mattress so tested.

3. An apparatus for testing mattresses and the like in order to determine their capability to support the human body form within selectively predetermined limits, and including:

(a) a platform for support of the mattress, and with a header spaced above the platform;

(b) a plurality of simulated human body parts supported by and guided by the header in normal positions relative to each other, to move vertically between the platform and header and free to fall into rest upon a mattress placed upon the platform;

(c) means comprising an element carried by one of said body parts and an element carrried by at least one of said other body parts, one of said elements being a cam and the other a switch to be actuated by the cam, and said elements being engageable to `detect the relative depression of said body parts Within said predetermined limits;

(d) and means simultaneously lifting the plurality of body parts and comprising a motor operated member, a member geared to each body part respectively, and a lost motion linkage having a part on each of said members and engageable in a lifting direction so as to withdraw the body parts from the mattress.

4. An apparatus for testing mattresses and the like in order to determine their capability to support the human body form `within selectively predetermined limits, and including:

(a) a platform for support of the mattress, and with a header spaced above the platform;

(b) a plurality of simulated human body parts supported by and guided by the header in normal positions relative to each other to move vertically between the platform and header an-d free to fall into rest upon a mattress placed upon .the platform;

(c) means comprising an element carried by one of said body parts and an element carrried by at least one of said other body parts, one of said elements being a cam and the other a switch to be actuated by the cam, and said elements being enfgageable to `detect the relative depression of said body parts within said predetermined limits;

(d) and means simultaneously lifting the plurality of body parts and comprising a motor revolved shaft member, a gear member liftingly engaged with each body part respectively and each gear member being rotatable on the shaft member, and a lost motion linkage having a part on the shaft member and gear member respectively and engagea-ble to operate each gear member in a lifting direction upon rotation of the shaft so as to withdraw the body parts from the mattress.

5. An apparatus for testing mattresses and the like in order to determine their capability to support the human body form within selectively predetermined limits, and including:

(a) a platform for support of the mattress, and with a header spaced above the platform;

(b) a plurality of simulated human body parts supported Iby and .guided by the header in normal positions relative to each other, to move vertically between the platform and header and free to fall into rest upon a mattress placed upon the platform;

(c) means comprising lan element carried by one of sai-d body parts and an element carrried by at least one of said other body parts, one of said elements being a cam and the other a switch to be actuated by the cam, and said elements being engageable to detect the relative depression of said body parts within said predetermined limits;

(d) and means simultaneously lifing the plurality of body parts and comprising a revoluble shaft member, a reversibly operable motor to ydrive the shaft in a lifting direction, a gear member liftiugly engaged with each body part respectively and each gear lmember being rotatable on the shaft member, and a lost motion linkage having a part on the shaft member and `gear member respectively and engage- `able to operate each gear member in a lifting direction upon rotation of the shaft so as to withdraw the body parts from the mattress.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,154,561 4/1939 Breer et al. 73-88 2,301,841 l1/1942 Zeder 73-161 3,067,608 12/ 1962 Nirenberg 73-94 3,110,270 11/ 1963 Ingram 74-422 3,147,617 9/1964 Kaptur et al. 73-172 3,195,347 7/1965 Janapol 73-161 FOREIGN PATENTS 524,450 4/ 1955 Italy.

RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner.

I. H. WILLIAMSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR TESTING MATTRESSES AND THE LIKE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE CAPABILITY TO SUPPORT THE HUMAN BODY FORM WITHIN SELECTIVELY PREDETERMINED LIMITS, AND INCLUDING: (A) A PLATFORM FOR SUPPORT OF THE MATTRESS AND WITH A HEADER SPACED ABOVE THE PLATFORM; (B) A PLURALITY OF SIMULATED HUMAN BODY PARTS SUPPORTED BY AND GUIDED BY THE HEADER IN NORMAL POSITIONS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, TO MOVE VERTICALLY BETWEEN THE PLATFORM AND HEADER AND FREE TO FALL INTO REST UPON A MATTRESS PLACED UPON THE PLATFORM; 